Comments

Paula55

I am from Iowa where sharing between libraries is not easy or sometimes even possible. I was amazed when I came to Minnesota and libraries shared with each other. Is Marshall starting a trend by not wanting to share? Will other libraries want to protect their tax dollars and not share? Why does Marshall borrow my small libraries only copy of a new book when they are unwilling to share their book with us?

Paula55

I agree with Zasspa. What about the other libraries in Plum Creek? Marshall is so concerned about their tax dollars that they forget there are other players in this game that also provide tax dollars. Share and share alike.

farmkid

As my first post said, it sounds like Marshall will probably leave the PCLS.

I couldn't care less about Ranum's salary, although it is laughable comparing the Marshall library to a 5 year old kid having a tantrum.

Also, it didn't say that some libraries have the authority to keep some materials within their own community. Whatever special materials are being referred to, it is fair for all the libraries within the system to keep them within their own collection. The only library that thinks its special (above the rules) is Marshall, at least according to the articles.

farmkid

Ranum said the PCLS considers a "short period" to mean a few days to a week. Not all library materials are subject to the lending policy either, he said. Libraries may have some special collections that are not loaned out to other libraries.

"The issue is inequality in policy," Ranum said. It's not fair for a library to agree to share resources and then not comply with the agreement, he said.

Again, the PCLS considers what a short period is, an individual library doesn't, or it shouldn't belong to the group.

farmkid

A majority of the Plum Creek Board approved the penalty Marshall-Lyon County is paying for not sharing resources to the fullest extent, Miller said. "I think you're obliged to abide by it until it's changed."

Other libraries also have responsibilities to their taxpayers, but they still share materials, Plum Creek board members said.

anonymouslyme

I am a bit confused, how many libraries are there within the Plum Creek Library System? How many have agreed to share their new items without any issues? Why must Plum Creek compromise when they are doing what the majority of the libraries want?

YOLO101

"The Plum Creek Library System's circulation policies call for all member libraries to share their materials "to the greatest extent possible." The policies say libraries may keep new materials for "short periods," in order to make them available for browsing patrons."

"The language on lending for interlibrary loans is somewhat vague," Thomas said. The policies don't define what a "short period" is."

Again just by reading these articles - Plum Creek is a federated system meaning Marshall has local control.

So if I'm not mistaken... Marshall should be able to define a "short period" for their library. Quote from yourself: "Funny how you seem to miss this very basic point... & Marshall violated existing policy." Violate Policy my B.U.T.T. & Seriously? Would you rather not have marshall? Would that make Plum Creek any better? You need them as much as they ne

zasspa

I think some facts and figures would have been nice. How does the Marshall/Cottonwood/Balaton library compare in size to other libraries in the Plum Creek system? Other than Worthington, Marshall seems by far the largest city in Plum Creek. How much did Marshall/Cottonwood/Balaton share previously? What about the other libraries? In other words, were more resources coming here or leaving here? Kind of hard to do anything other than jump to conclusions when there's not much detail.

rangeral

Yet again common sense is not prevailing, and Plum Creek is demanding, not discussing, nor offering meaningful compromise. I think Plum Creek is totally off base and 90 days is reasonable for new materials to stay at the acquiring library.

I don't hear any compromises from Plum Creek.

The Independent could have done a much better job in reporting what the practices are in libraries out side of this area for comparison.